How I chose my first gun

Kaylie Bloxham enjoys shooting but had never had her own gun. She decided it was about time she made a purchase and after some deliberation decided on a Browning 20-bore. We asked her some questions on how she made the decision and her thoughts along the way.

Kaylie says: “I think when it comes to gameshooting, often a girl’s first experience will be attending to accompany a Gun, rather than shooting herself. In my experience, if you’re fortunate enough to be given a shot or two, typically you’re handed a spare which is the least favoured in the cabinet because it’s a heavy plank of wood. I’ve been looking forward to having my own gun that I know fits and that I’ve shot well with at the shooting ground, so I will have full confidence when I get out in the field.”

How did you start the search for your gun?

I’m very lucky that through my company Bloxham PR I work with the West London Shooting School. Their on-site gun room has a really strong collection of new and second-hand guns, both over-and-under and side-by-side, available in a range of price points – from entry level through to high-end. It was the ideal place for me to go, especially as I had the opportunity to try the guns before I purchased, which proved to be invaluable.

Had your friends recommended anything?

Friends had recommended lots of different guns and to some extent that had influenced my initial thoughts on what gun I would choose. I didn’t go to the Gun Room thinking I would buy a Browning, but I just felt I shot best with it. I think that’s why it was so good to try a few options as it’s such a personal choice.

Did you consider buying second-hand?

I wasn’t against buying a second-hand gun but I chose to go for a new gun.

Are there any guns you’ve shot with in the past that you particularly liked?

I’d shot my friend’s 20-bore Caesar Guerini before and really like that, and previously I’ve shot both 12 and 20-bore Berettas – they are great guns.

Mark Heath shows Kaylie all the different options available

Does the weight of a gun concern you?

This was something I was very conscious of when making the decision of which gun to go for. I gave West London Shooting School’s Mark Heath my brief – what I was looking for, what I would be using my gun for and my budget, and he suggested we try an entry level 12-bore Beretta and Browning, and the same in 20-bore.

It was such a brilliant way to help me choose as there was a clear winner out of the four guns I tried, and it wasn’t the one I was expecting! I found the 12-bore Browning too heavy and the 20-bore Beretta too light, so it was a decision out of the 20-bore Browning or the 12-bore Beretta. Given the type of shooting I plan to do with the gun, I choose the 20-bore Browning and definitely feel I made the right decision. It may have been beginners’ luck, but I smashed the first clay I shot at and continued to shoot well with it.

1. Join a club The shooting community is a warm one and there are new clubs springing up all over…

Do you think you will shoot game much or mostly clays?

I’d like it to be a relatively even mix of the two, though I envisage shooting clays more due to how accessible, and generally more affordable they are.

Kaylie having instruction with her new Browning 20-bore

How often do you think you’ll go shooting?

I’m hoping to go shooting a lot more, which is the main reason for purchasing my own shotgun. It’s always been very sporadic, but I love it so much when I get the chance, that I’m keen to have a more frequent, consistent approach to my shooting. I celebrated my thirtieth birthday this year and thought it made the perfect present!

“Often people will have a preference or idea of what they want before they come to buying their first gun. I feel it’s important to understand what they want the gun for, how often they will be shooting and the type of shooting and their budget to make a more informed suggestion.

“With a view to which shotguns I feel are best suited to a novice female shooters, mainstream gunmakers are always a good place to start; Beretta Silver Pigeon,Vittoria or a 690, and from the Browning range a 525, 725 or the Liberty light. It doesn’t always follow that ladies need a smaller calibre or specialist ladies gun. What’s important is what suits the individual.

“It’s good to try the guns where possible, and once a decision has been made I would always recommend a gun-fit. We are all different heights and builds and shotgun shooting, be it game or clay, is a hand-eye coordination sport. Using a gun that shoots where you look and is comfortable to use, is critical to building success and enjoying your shooting. Shooting with an ill-fitting gun will always be a struggle and in the worst case scenario may cause significant bruising.”